Kelly Ann Beckford ran a massive personal best 1:58.66 on Saturday to win the women’s 800m pro race on the second day of the Under Armour Track and Field Nationals at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Beckford shattered her previous best of 2:00.17, which she set in August last year while claiming bronze at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Championships in The Bahamas.

Beckford, who qualified for last year’s World Athletics Championships, became only the fourth Jamaican woman to break the two-minute barrier in the event, moving up from 10th place. She currently ranks among the top 10 performances in the world this season.

In the men’s 800m, Jamaica’s national record holder and World Championships finalist Navasky Anderson was second with 1:44.56, beaten by his training partner at Under Armour Baltimore, Wes Ferguson, who ran 1:44.41, while Handal Roban of St Vincent and the Grenadines was third with 1:45.08.

— Paul A Reid